Trail's End Boxers & Studios
Finding the Right Breeder
You've done your homework and have chosen a boxer as the breed for you (See Owning a Boxer ). Now
your task is to find the right breeder. A reputable breeder seeks to improve the boxer breed producing
puppies that adhere closely to the breed standard (the blueprint on how a correct boxer should look and
act). The puppies are of sound temperament and are as genetically and physically healthy as possible. A
breeder socializes the puppies, vaccinates, and deworms them. They feed a high quality food and keeps the
puppies and their area spic and span. Breeders screen the perspective homes for their puppies very
carefully and remain a contact for the new owners for the lifetime of that puppy.
Once you've decided on a boxer puppy, don't make a hasty decision. It's just as easy to fall in love with a well-bred puppy from a good breeder as with a poorly bred puppy from a puppy mill, pet store, or backyard breeder.
A breeder will usually charge more for a puppy. He or she has a lot more invested in a healthy litter. And although you may feel sorry for the puppy from an unscrupulous breeder, buying from them only encourages them to keep breeding. The few bucks saved may come back to haunt you in a dog who has a lot more vet visits over its lifetime. A good rule of thumb is to buy the best puppy you can afford from the best breeder you can find.
What to Expect from a Responsible Breeder
1) Expect a lot of questions from the breeder such as... Why do you want this particular breed of dog? Where will the dog live? How many hours will the dog be alone? and on and on... Beware of a breeder who asks no questions. Do they care about what happens to their puppies?
2) A spay/neuter contract on pet puppies. Faults keep a puppy from winning in the show ring. They can be something as simple as being 1/2 inch too short or having too much white. These faults that do not adhere to the breed standard, however, should not be passed on to future generations, hence the requirement that the puppy be spayed/neutered usually between 6 - 12 months old.
3) AKC Limited registration on pet puppies. Limited registration is a secondary precaution against pet puppies being bred. The puppy is registered with the AKC (American Kennel Club) and can participate in any of the performance events such as obedience and agility, but any resulting offspring from that dog can not be registered.
4) At least a four generation pedigree. This is the puppy's family tree. It includes the dogs' registered names and titles. Many times unscrupulous or uneducated breeders use the term "champion bloodlines." Nearly every registered dog has a champion somewhere in its background. The first two generations, the parents and grandparents, are the most important. The further back the champions, the more likely the puppy will deviate from the breed standard.
5) Health testing on both parents. This is a BIGGIE!!! Boxers, like all breeds, are prone to certain genetic conditions. Ask to see proof of the testing on both parents prior to buying a pup. Don't take any excuses for a breeder not testing. Simply move on to the next breeder. It may save you loads of heartache and money down the road.
Responsible boxer breeders test for the following genetic conditions prior to breeding:
Boxers have two heart conditions that are hereditary: ARVC (Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy) and SAS (Subaortic Stenosis). ARVC is a malfunction of the electrical system of the heart. An afflicted boxer may be playing ball one minute, faint and die the next. SAS is a malfunction of the valves of the heart. Blood rushes through a valve between beats causing a heart murmur to be heard. Both conditions significantly reduce the life expectancy of your pet.
To help ensure they are not producing puppies with these problems, responsible boxer breeders test the parents prior to breeding. To check for ARVC, a blood sample or cheek swab is sent for genetic analysis. This testing is all brand new to the boxer community as of May 2009. Research is continuing and on going. Right now these are the recommendations: if the dog has two copies of the ARVC mutation (one from each parent) the dog is homozygous for the mutation and may have a higher likelyhood of being affected and at a younger age. Dogs with one copy of the mutation are heterozygous and may have a milder version later in life or not show any signs at all. Dogs with no copies of the mutation are clear of that mutation. It is recommended right now that homozygous dogs not be bred, that heterozygous dogs may be bred to clear if they have a good holter and are healthy in other respects. We are finding, however, that there is a larger picture involved, that there may be more than these two mutations causing the disease. As more and more dogs are being screened, questions are being raised with dogs clearly affected coming back clear and dogs who have shown no signs, have clear holters, and living into old age coming back homozygous. This test is a starting point, but using just this test as a definitive for breeding is guarded. Breeders should still be using their holter monitors while this research is ongoing.
The following is a special update from Dr Kerstin Lindblad-Toh of the
Broad Institute on the follow-up ARVC research currently being done
jointly by Dr Kate Meurs’ group at Washington State University and
Dr Lindblad-Toh’s team at the Broad Institute:
Dear boxer owners,
...The BBC film has again raised discussion about the identified
locus. We believe that we have found a gene involved in the disease, but
that there are several genes contributing. These may or may not be the
same in US and European dogs. Dr Meurs and the Broad are actively
continuing on this work to find also the other genes. Once the whole
picture has been understood, testing for all involved genes will be possible.
Dr Jo Dukes-McEwan and her colleagues in England have also offered to
collaborate with us to be able to include both US and European dogs in a
productive way, which will be very good.
We therefore would like you to understand that the current testing is not
comprehensive but that we are working hard to make it better. Please help
us by remaining calm, hopeful and supportive!
Best wishes for a Happy 2010!
Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
Broad Institute
To further screen our boxers for ARVC, the dogs must wear a holter monitor for 24 hours. This device records the dog's heartbeats. A board certified cardiologist reads the tape looking for abnormalities or VPCs. The lower the number of isolated VPCs the better with 0 being the best.
For SAS, a board certified cardiologist, not an every day vet, listens to the heart for murmurs. This is done when the dog is a year or older. This process is called auscultation. No murmurs should be present. Some breeders are even having echocardiograms done for further assurance that there is no problem. In this process you can actually see the function of the valves of the heart.
Canine Hip dyplasia, or CHD, is a moderately heritable condition. It is about twice as common among littermates having a dysplastic parent. The normal ball and socket function of the hips is impaired or destroyed. A shallow socket and loose ligaments of the hip allow the ball to work free and eventually causes a great deal of wear on the joint. This is a crippling condition. Both parents should have their hips OFA'd or have a PennHip evaluation prior to breeding.
With OFA, a vet x-rays the dog's hips and vets at the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals read the x-rays. They then rate them on the condition of the joints from poor to excellent and assign the dog an OFA number.
With PennHip, the dog's hips are x-rayed and the joint laxity (looseness) is measured and assigned a number. Dogs with a DI (distraction index) of .3 have tighter hips and are less likely to develop HD. Dogs with a DI of .7 or greater are at a greater risk of developing HD.
Degenerative Myelopathy, or DM, is a condition of the spinal cord that causes loss of control of the rear of the dog later in life. Onset of DM is usually in double digits of the dog's life. It is not painful to the dog, but is a tough one to deal with when your older dog is mentally strong, but deteriorates to the point of not being able to get up or walk. To screen for DM, breeders send a cheek swab for genetic analysis. If there are two copies of the DM gene, the dog is AT RISK for developing DM. If there is one copy of the DM gene, the dog is a CARRIER and will not develop the disease. If there is no copy of the DM gene, the dog is CLEAR and won't pass on the gene or be affected. This information helps breeders make decisions on the breeding of their dogs.
6) A contract. A responsible breeder will have in their contract a window of 48-72 hours for you to take your puppy to your veterinarian for a physical. If anything is found unsatisfactory, this allows you to return the puppy for a full refund.
Because responsible breeders care about they puppies they produced and have done everything possible to ensure the genetic health of the puppies, you have a much better chance of purchasing a healthy puppy that will live a long life as part of your family. Backyard breeders and pet stores do not do this testing and can not give you any information on the long-term health of your puppy from these genetic conditions. You will be an educated consumer and have a much better puppy for your investment with a reputable breeder.
7) The breeder will provide you with the names and phone numbers of people they've sold puppies to in the past. These are references you can use to check the honesty and integrity of the breeder. You may want to ask how their dog is doing and if they would recommend that anyone buys a dog from that breeder.
8) The breeder will take back the puppy at any time in its life if the owner can no longer keep it. The puppy they produce will not be given away or surrendered to a shelter or Humane Society.
9) The breeder will remain a contact for the new owner for the lifetime of that puppy and beyond. The breeder will be there to answer questions, hear concerns and brags on the puppy they produced, and offer advice on any issues. Many times long friendships between the breeder and owners are formed upon the purchase of a puppy.
Attend dog shows, do your homework, and ask lots of questions. Remember, fancy websites and advertisements don't guarantee someone to be a responsible, reputable source. It's ultimately up to you to make the right choice.
Shannon Carlson
Trail's End Boxers
Once you've decided on a boxer puppy, don't make a hasty decision. It's just as easy to fall in love with a well-bred puppy from a good breeder as with a poorly bred puppy from a puppy mill, pet store, or backyard breeder.
A breeder will usually charge more for a puppy. He or she has a lot more invested in a healthy litter. And although you may feel sorry for the puppy from an unscrupulous breeder, buying from them only encourages them to keep breeding. The few bucks saved may come back to haunt you in a dog who has a lot more vet visits over its lifetime. A good rule of thumb is to buy the best puppy you can afford from the best breeder you can find.
What to Expect from a Responsible Breeder
1) Expect a lot of questions from the breeder such as... Why do you want this particular breed of dog? Where will the dog live? How many hours will the dog be alone? and on and on... Beware of a breeder who asks no questions. Do they care about what happens to their puppies?
2) A spay/neuter contract on pet puppies. Faults keep a puppy from winning in the show ring. They can be something as simple as being 1/2 inch too short or having too much white. These faults that do not adhere to the breed standard, however, should not be passed on to future generations, hence the requirement that the puppy be spayed/neutered usually between 6 - 12 months old.
3) AKC Limited registration on pet puppies. Limited registration is a secondary precaution against pet puppies being bred. The puppy is registered with the AKC (American Kennel Club) and can participate in any of the performance events such as obedience and agility, but any resulting offspring from that dog can not be registered.
4) At least a four generation pedigree. This is the puppy's family tree. It includes the dogs' registered names and titles. Many times unscrupulous or uneducated breeders use the term "champion bloodlines." Nearly every registered dog has a champion somewhere in its background. The first two generations, the parents and grandparents, are the most important. The further back the champions, the more likely the puppy will deviate from the breed standard.
5) Health testing on both parents. This is a BIGGIE!!! Boxers, like all breeds, are prone to certain genetic conditions. Ask to see proof of the testing on both parents prior to buying a pup. Don't take any excuses for a breeder not testing. Simply move on to the next breeder. It may save you loads of heartache and money down the road.
Responsible boxer breeders test for the following genetic conditions prior to breeding:
Boxers have two heart conditions that are hereditary: ARVC (Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy) and SAS (Subaortic Stenosis). ARVC is a malfunction of the electrical system of the heart. An afflicted boxer may be playing ball one minute, faint and die the next. SAS is a malfunction of the valves of the heart. Blood rushes through a valve between beats causing a heart murmur to be heard. Both conditions significantly reduce the life expectancy of your pet.
To help ensure they are not producing puppies with these problems, responsible boxer breeders test the parents prior to breeding. To check for ARVC, a blood sample or cheek swab is sent for genetic analysis. This testing is all brand new to the boxer community as of May 2009. Research is continuing and on going. Right now these are the recommendations: if the dog has two copies of the ARVC mutation (one from each parent) the dog is homozygous for the mutation and may have a higher likelyhood of being affected and at a younger age. Dogs with one copy of the mutation are heterozygous and may have a milder version later in life or not show any signs at all. Dogs with no copies of the mutation are clear of that mutation. It is recommended right now that homozygous dogs not be bred, that heterozygous dogs may be bred to clear if they have a good holter and are healthy in other respects. We are finding, however, that there is a larger picture involved, that there may be more than these two mutations causing the disease. As more and more dogs are being screened, questions are being raised with dogs clearly affected coming back clear and dogs who have shown no signs, have clear holters, and living into old age coming back homozygous. This test is a starting point, but using just this test as a definitive for breeding is guarded. Breeders should still be using their holter monitors while this research is ongoing.
The following is a special update from Dr Kerstin Lindblad-Toh of the
Broad Institute on the follow-up ARVC research currently being done
jointly by Dr Kate Meurs’ group at Washington State University and
Dr Lindblad-Toh’s team at the Broad Institute:
Dear boxer owners,
...The BBC film has again raised discussion about the identified
locus. We believe that we have found a gene involved in the disease, but
that there are several genes contributing. These may or may not be the
same in US and European dogs. Dr Meurs and the Broad are actively
continuing on this work to find also the other genes. Once the whole
picture has been understood, testing for all involved genes will be possible.
Dr Jo Dukes-McEwan and her colleagues in England have also offered to
collaborate with us to be able to include both US and European dogs in a
productive way, which will be very good.
We therefore would like you to understand that the current testing is not
comprehensive but that we are working hard to make it better. Please help
us by remaining calm, hopeful and supportive!
Best wishes for a Happy 2010!
Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
Broad Institute
To further screen our boxers for ARVC, the dogs must wear a holter monitor for 24 hours. This device records the dog's heartbeats. A board certified cardiologist reads the tape looking for abnormalities or VPCs. The lower the number of isolated VPCs the better with 0 being the best.
For SAS, a board certified cardiologist, not an every day vet, listens to the heart for murmurs. This is done when the dog is a year or older. This process is called auscultation. No murmurs should be present. Some breeders are even having echocardiograms done for further assurance that there is no problem. In this process you can actually see the function of the valves of the heart.
Canine Hip dyplasia, or CHD, is a moderately heritable condition. It is about twice as common among littermates having a dysplastic parent. The normal ball and socket function of the hips is impaired or destroyed. A shallow socket and loose ligaments of the hip allow the ball to work free and eventually causes a great deal of wear on the joint. This is a crippling condition. Both parents should have their hips OFA'd or have a PennHip evaluation prior to breeding.
With OFA, a vet x-rays the dog's hips and vets at the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals read the x-rays. They then rate them on the condition of the joints from poor to excellent and assign the dog an OFA number.
With PennHip, the dog's hips are x-rayed and the joint laxity (looseness) is measured and assigned a number. Dogs with a DI (distraction index) of .3 have tighter hips and are less likely to develop HD. Dogs with a DI of .7 or greater are at a greater risk of developing HD.
Degenerative Myelopathy, or DM, is a condition of the spinal cord that causes loss of control of the rear of the dog later in life. Onset of DM is usually in double digits of the dog's life. It is not painful to the dog, but is a tough one to deal with when your older dog is mentally strong, but deteriorates to the point of not being able to get up or walk. To screen for DM, breeders send a cheek swab for genetic analysis. If there are two copies of the DM gene, the dog is AT RISK for developing DM. If there is one copy of the DM gene, the dog is a CARRIER and will not develop the disease. If there is no copy of the DM gene, the dog is CLEAR and won't pass on the gene or be affected. This information helps breeders make decisions on the breeding of their dogs.
6) A contract. A responsible breeder will have in their contract a window of 48-72 hours for you to take your puppy to your veterinarian for a physical. If anything is found unsatisfactory, this allows you to return the puppy for a full refund.
Because responsible breeders care about they puppies they produced and have done everything possible to ensure the genetic health of the puppies, you have a much better chance of purchasing a healthy puppy that will live a long life as part of your family. Backyard breeders and pet stores do not do this testing and can not give you any information on the long-term health of your puppy from these genetic conditions. You will be an educated consumer and have a much better puppy for your investment with a reputable breeder.
7) The breeder will provide you with the names and phone numbers of people they've sold puppies to in the past. These are references you can use to check the honesty and integrity of the breeder. You may want to ask how their dog is doing and if they would recommend that anyone buys a dog from that breeder.
8) The breeder will take back the puppy at any time in its life if the owner can no longer keep it. The puppy they produce will not be given away or surrendered to a shelter or Humane Society.
9) The breeder will remain a contact for the new owner for the lifetime of that puppy and beyond. The breeder will be there to answer questions, hear concerns and brags on the puppy they produced, and offer advice on any issues. Many times long friendships between the breeder and owners are formed upon the purchase of a puppy.
Attend dog shows, do your homework, and ask lots of questions. Remember, fancy websites and advertisements don't guarantee someone to be a responsible, reputable source. It's ultimately up to you to make the right choice.
Shannon Carlson
Trail's End Boxers